The woman sat on her porch, watching the early morning light spill over the horizon. She cradled a warm mug of tea in her hands, the steam rising like a whispered prayer. During Lent, she was avoiding inevitable distractions—less noise, fewer screens, more space for God. But this morning, as she looked at the world awakening around her, she felt a tug in her spirit.
Consequently, she reflected–had she made room for joy?
Joy in the journey
Lent is often marked by giving things up—sweets, social media, hurried living. But sometimes, focusing on sacrifice, we forget that joy is meant to be part of the journey. As poet Mary Oliver reminds us, “Joy is not made to be a crumb.”
If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.
All things considered–how often do we treat it as one? A small indulgence, a fleeting moment, rather than the full and abundant portion God intends.
John Piper offers this insight
“If joy in God is the heart’s experience of preferring God, desiring God, treasuring God, then it’s not surprising that the main thing we can do in order to experience this is look intently at God’s greatness, God’s beauty, God’s worth in his word.”
The woman on the porch closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She had been focusing so much on what she had laid down for Lent that she had forgotten to lift her eyes to the One who is her greatest treasure. She opened her Bible to Psalm 16:11 and let the words settle in her heart:
“In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Joy isn’t something we stumble upon by accident. It’s found in beholding God, soaking in His beauty, and treasuring His presence. It is not a crumb but a feast, and He invites us to the table.
This Lent, may we fast from hurry, distraction, and lesser joys—but feast on the abundant joy of the Lord.
Prayer:
Father, Your plan was always abundant
Joy, living in communion with You,
Living obedient and full lives
Following Your royal law of love –
Clothed in Your joy!
In this season, restore to us
The joy of our salvation –
Renewing a right spirit within us
Washing us clean by Your word.
Complete our joy for Your name’s sake-
Let all who take refuge in you be glad
Let us who love Your name
Rejoice in You! May we shout for joy
Over your victory and
Lift up our banners in the name of our God.
Amen.
References
Desiring God. (n.d.). Is joy a choice or a feeling? Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/is-joy-a-choice-or-a-feeling
Poem contest Mary Oliver Poem “Don’t Hesitate” – All Poetry. (n.d.). https://allpoetry.com/contest/2848587-Mary-Oliver-Poem–Don-t-Hesitate–
